Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-05-19
LETTER FROM RICHMOND.
,e.o.;ai cor os ,ho Alerand-ia GAZETTE.

Especial Cor. OF the Alexandra 6AZEiih-j
RICHMOND, Va, May IS, 1SS1.-The
debate in the Senate to-day over the suosti'
tute introduced by Senator Rhea, proposing
certain amendments to the constitution was
listened to with marked attention by
crowded gallery. 1t was field day for
good speeches and the vote Indicated thaC
sll the democrats who voted, with but few
executions. were in favor of the proposed
amendments which had 8 tendency indirect
IL towards reputation. Senator Stu6b5,
of Gloucester, drew the following picture OF
the condition of affairs in Virginia from
period before the war down to the present
time when advocating the measure. Before
The war. our agricultural interest was III
healthy and prosperous condition our
lands we're in high state of cultivation
onr products commanded fair anu living
prices; we were a prosperous, happy anu
thriving neople. During the war Virginia,
the main battle field and campaign grounds
of both armies, her fertile fields ran VIA,
with weeds and thorns; our property taken
our homes destroyed, our fences burned,
our valleys and mountains and plains bathed
i in tho blood of her noblest and best sons.
Ac,er the war, poverty walked abroad where
plenty once reigued absolute ruin and de-
struc,on threatened US; but with an Iron
nerve and determination unequalled, our
brave men went forward to regain their ial-
len fortunes to recusstate Virginia, to make
home happy, to take care of the fair women
of Virginia who had clothed us, cared Tor
ua, fed I'd and prayed for us in darker
days" The Southern people have
had more patience, more fortltude,
more endurance, more true manhood,
moro love for native land and more
patriotism than other people ever mentioned in
! history. From plenty TO want; from riches to
poverty; from peace and prosperity to turmoil
| and adversely. Our old men encouraged their sons
| to accept the situation and bear up under thes1
misforturcs. The noble women OF our land wept
and prayed for father, husband, son and brother,
and whispered words of cheer Now | have not
overdrasn the picture. We stand before the gaz-
| Ing world to day with our record our people
striving for n subsistence and barely getting it,
our people burdened down with taxation agri-
cultural interest suffering; commercial interest
| tagging business dull, almost ct q stand. still
| Virginia standing before her bondholders party
ing over her debt, permitting her bondholders to
ull her into security we'll rs indifference, while
they are plotting and scheming her ruin. Let us
! realize our true condition odaY. We can't expect
any favors from the bondholders. Don't let us
| longer sit by the pool of dependency aud angle
| for impossibilities.
On motion of Speaker Stuart Mr.. Hay in the
chair the House this afternoon dismissed the bill
ID amend the charter Of the city of Alexandria so
as - compel property owners to improve the
street in front of their premises Mr.. Stuart
thought that as the proposed improvement would
DO p benefit to persons other than the parties pay
ing for the same he opposed the bill because he
wanted those other than the property owners who
| will be benefited TO pay part of the expense.
The General Assembly will not adjourn sine die
this week At least this is the prevailing impress
| sion this afternoon. Thero some matters in
relation to the debt, which mus be attended to
before final adjournment.
| The Governor to day upon receiving intelli-
gence of the death of Ex-Governor Smith ordered
the flag to be placed at half.msst over the
Capitol building. B. P. o.